Statement on international travel
Source: Ministry for the Environment Ministry for the Environment Statement on international travel This statement is in response to an article that ran on Stuff and in the Dominion Post on Friday 11 January 2018. The Ministry fully accepts that travel by its staff is of public interest, and it is important we are held […]
Read More →MfE launches Waste Free Summer campaign with tips on how to prevent waste, reuse and recycle
Source: Ministry for the Environment Recycling is a great way to ensure that materials like plastic, glass and aluminium can be used over and over again and keep them out of landfill. But it’s essential that you recycle right, by rinsing your recyclables clean and following your local council recycling rules. Check out our pro […]
Read More →Recycle or not?
Source: Ministry for the Environment Recycling is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, but it’s essential that we take the time to do this right. Photo – dirty food containers Never put food or unwashed items in your recycling bin. Doing so could make the other items dirty – […]
Read More →Circular economy 101
Source: Ministry for the Environment Simply put, the circular economy is based on the idea of using the same resources over and over again – rather than continuously extracting more from nature. We are currently wasting too many resources by using the items we make for a short time before throwing them away. A lot […]
Read More →5 reasons to buy recycled
Source: Ministry for the Environment With circular economy principles catching on fast in New Zealand and around the world, buying products and packaging made from recycled materials is set to become as routine as placing our cans, plastics and glass out on the kerb for recycling. Here are five great reasons to buy items made […]
Read More →5 innovative uses for recycled materials
Source: Ministry for the Environment Choosing to buy products and packaging made from recycled materials is a great way to help reduce waste and support New Zealand’s transition to a circular economy approach [link to circular economy article]. If you’re keen to buy recycled, or are simply interested to find out what kind of products […]
Read More →3 easy steps to recycle like a pro!
Source: Ministry for the Environment Recycling is a great way to reduce waste – but many of us aren’t recycling right, which means recyclables can end up in landfill despite our best intentions. So here are three steps to up your recycling game this summer. Step one Check your local council’s website to see what […]
Read More →Waste free future smart shopping guide
Source: Ministry for the Environment Buy only what you need The golden rule of reducing waste and supporting a ‘circular economy’ is to only buy what you need in the first place. When you do shop for new goods, it’s important to buy items made to last and be easily repaired, and to steer clear of […]
Read More →Kaihautū – Chief Māori Advisor appointed
Source: Ministry for the Environment Melanie Mark-Shadbolt is MfE’s Kaihautū – Chief Māori Advisor. Her iwi affiliations are Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Raukawa, and Te Arawa. Melanie will work directly with our Te Pūrengi, supporting us on our journey as leaders towards a greater understanding of Te Ao […]
Read More →Phasing out single-use plastic bags
Source: Ministry for the Environment We are excited to share with you the news that following a public consultation, Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage has today confirmed the Government’s intention to phase out single-use plastic bags. Minister Sage confirmed that the mandatory phase out will be in force by 1 July 2019. Cabinet […]
Read More →MfE wins Terry Healy Award
Source: Ministry for the Environment Our guidance for local government on coastal hazards and climate change has won the annual Terry Healy Award. The award from the NZ Coastal Society is for a project which has made a significant contribution to New Zealand’s coastal and marine environment. The award was presented jointly to the Ministry […]
Read More →Fiordland Marine Guardians appointed
Source: Ministry for the Environment The appointment of two new Fiordland Marine Guardians has been announced today, along with one re-appointment. The Fiordland Marine Guardians is an advisory group established under the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005. The group is responsible for advising central and local government agencies on the integrated […]
Read More →National Monitoring System data released for 2016/17
Source: Ministry for the Environment The Ministry for the Environment has today released the National Monitoring System (NMS) data for the year ending 30 June 2017. The NMS requires councils, the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Internal Affairs to provide detailed data each year on the functions, tools, and processes that they are […]
Read More →Our Te Purengi leadership team welcomes two new members
Source: Ministry for the Environment Amanda Moran and Natasha Lewis have been appointed to the Ministry’s Te Purengi leadership team. Amanda takes up the role of Deputy Secretary responsible for the Natural and Built System and Natasha the Deputy Secretary responsible for Strategy and Stewardship. The appointments recognise the significant contribution Amanda and Natasha have […]
Read More →Librarian recognised for service to our country’s environmental history
Source: Ministry for the Environment Our long-serving librarian is among the first to be awarded a new commendation for meritorious public service. Ailsa Parker was presented the State Services Commissioner’s Commendation for Frontline Excellence at the inaugural awards ceremony at Parliament last night. The commendation is awarded to public servants who demonstrate exceptional care and […]
Read More →New Zealand signs international declaration to cut plastic waste
Source: Ministry for the Environment New Zealand has today signed an international declaration to cut plastic waste from our economy and environment. The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment focuses on addressing the root causes of plastic waste and pollution by looking at the whole system of how plastic is imported, produced and used. It is […]
Read More →New Zealand leaders stand together in shared responsibility for long-term investment in our natural resources
Source: Ministry for the Environment A new initiative to halt and reverse the decline of New Zealand’s natural assets was launched in Auckland today. The Aotearoa Circle is a unique and voluntary initiative bringing together senior leaders from across the public and private sectors. The founding members of The Aotearoa Circle share the fundamental belief […]
Read More →Report shows New Zealand air quality is good
Source: Ministry for the Environment An environmental report released today shows that air quality in New Zealand is generally good. Our air 2018, produced by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, shows that while some previously known issues persist, progress has been made and levels of some pollutants are declining. “The report shows […]
Read More →Supporting Air New Zealand to reduce plastic waste
Source: Ministry for the Environment Air New Zealand has today announced a commitment to swap out its Air New Zealand owned single-use plastic packaging to compostable or recyclable alternatives on all Domestic routes by October 2019. The Ministry for the Environment has worked collaboratively with Air New Zealand on this initiative, providing advice on lower […]
Read More →Land report highlights issues with soil degradation
MIL OSI – Source: Ministry for the Environment – Release/Statement Headline: Land report highlights issues with soil degradation An environmental report released today has found we are damaging and losing our soils and our native plants and animals. Our land 2018 is the latest report in the environmental reporting series published by the Ministry for […]
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